Still aglow more than 13 hours after Wilson Ramos' titanic blast capped the Nationals' remarkable, 6-5 victory over the Mariners? You're probably not alone. And if you need a mid-day, pick-me-up, just re-watch the Ramos homer and listen to the various calls, from Johnny Holliday and F.P. Santangelo on MASN to Charlie Slowes and Dave Jageler on 106.7 FM to Dave Sims and Mike Blowers on FSN Northwest. Slightly different takes from the winning and losing sides.

As you know by now, that was by far the largest ninth-inning comeback in Nationals history. Never before since they arrived in D.C. had they rallied from more than two runs down in the ninth to win, let alone four.

So that, on its own merits, made last night's game one of the best wins in the brief history of the Nats. But was it the best win in Nats history?

Think back to the more remarkable victories over the last 6 1/2 seasons. It's hard to think of a more-jarring win, one that appearedRead more »

For me it was MARCH 30, 2008: NATS 3, BRAVES 2, no doubt, hands down. Because I was there, and my throat was very sore the next day. Close 2nd is the first game back in 05, which was great too, but Zim's walk-off has a stronger place in my memory.

I do believe last night's victory was the best. I remember each of the other games you mention, but none has the transformative effect of this one. The crowd was electrified, the public has started believing in the Nats as a viable, winning club, and the victory was snatched from the jaws of a steamrollered defeat (and a losing streak).

Let's just hope there are many more memories to come soon! Like when WE ARE IN THE PLAYOFFS!!!! I was at the openener in 05 and loved it, but NOTHING topped Strasmas for me, because it not only was an exciting win, but it showed the PROMISE of what is too come for this team!

Father's Day (6/17) 2006, Zim walk-off versus the Yankees. That one was iconic. I will remember that one forever. (See the back of the scoreboard at Nats Park.) I will remember that one forever. But this one may have been more meaningful in baseball terms, because it's part of a resurgence in a season that could turn out to be pretty good.

Wow, great walk down memory lane (though I read the name "Paul Lo Duca" and groaned out loud). I was at RFK opening day, the two Yankees miracle games, Strasburg's debut, and last night. Very reluctantly gave up my ticket for opening night at Nats Park as I was recovering from surgery and my doctor emphatically told me "no way."I might add to your list several games in late 2008 (?) when the Nats boisterously crushed the Mets playoff dreams, and a lightly attended game on September 28, 2006 at home against the Phils when the game was rain delayed until about 11:30 pm, finished after 2am, and sent a couple hundred Phillys fans home in utter despair, as they were in the hunt for the post-season. I was one of a few Nats fans there, and it was just a beautiful thing to see.

Hi, JennX, nice to "see" you here.My fave wins are always the in-person games. It's hard for me to pick a top one, but some of those Mark listed are among my top 10 (the two vs. the Yanks and the Maxwell walkoff). I might give the first two an edge because it was the d*mned Yankees. Also, my hubby wanted to leave after the Damon grand slam in the first of the Yanks wins, and I convinced him to wait until the fat lady sang. The walkoff was great, but I may have enjoyed the comeback the day before just a little bit more. The Yanks fans around us were just so confident about the lead, and if memory serves they brought in the Sandman early but he had a rare glitch (Me to my husband as he came into the game: "Hey, he's human, too. Everybody can have an off day." Okay, so there may have been a bit of bluster there on my part but it turned out to be true.)Also among my in-person faves are complete game shutouts by John Patterson and Livo (the one last year).Oh, and thanks for the Seattle link, as I'd not heard that one before. I know it stinks to lose that way, as my team has been on the wrong end of such a game before, but I just have to say "Yes, way."

June 8, 2010 – It felt like playoff baseball in Nats Park. Crowd was hanging on every pitch. Strasburg exceeded the hype which was essentially impossible to do. Even though it didn't have the last minute drama of some other games, this is best Nats game I've attended.April 14, 2005 – A close second for me. Baseball back in DC. Great atmosphere. Great game. So much excitement. I became a permanent Nats fan that night.

The Opening Day 2008 Walk-Off was pure excitement.Strasmas was pure electricty.Last night was pure amazement.For each win it felt like at the time this would be a giant turning point in Nationals history, one that would energize the fan base and the clubhouse alike and somehow turn us into contenders.If that happens with this win and we continue the recent awesome tear we've been on into a pennant hunt, I say last night wins. Otherwise, Strasmas wins. That crowd was insane.

Flag Day, 2005.Coming off the 10 game winning streak the Nationals went out to Anaheim and were beaten by the Angels. The next night they were trailing and it was feeling like the magic was over.Then the crazy starts happening. Jose Guillen gets Brendan Donnelly ejected when he tells the umps he's got some sand paper in his glove. That sets off Scioscia, which sets off Frank Robinson and the two almost go at it. Jose Guillen is getting booed and objects thrown at him. Then he steps up in the 8th and hits a 2 run HR off of Shields that ties the game. Nats pull ahead in the same inning and add another in the 8th.There's even a weak "Let's Go Nationals" chant that can be heard in the stands. Chief comes in the 9th to close it 1-2-3. Nationals remain in first.Crazy energy in that game.It was also Barry Svrluga's pick for the best game while he was covering the team.

This was a good one that you failed to mention.July 3, 2010. Mets in town. Strasburg starts, drawing a crowd of 39,214 on a hot, sunny Saturday afternoon. Strasburg pitches five innings and allows two runs, Storen comes on for two innings and holds the fort, so at the top of the 8th the score is tied 2-2. But Clippard craps the bed in the top of the 8th and leaves with two outs and the Nats behind 5-2. Slaten and Capps combine to keep it there and the Nats pick up a run to go into the bottom of the ninth behind 5-3. Mets closer K-Rod in to get the save. Guzman walks, moves to second on Nyjer's ground out. Willie Harris singles and Zimmerman walks to load the bases for Dunn. Dunn hits one right off the top of the fence in deep center field that looks to be the walk-off grand slam, but nooooooo. The umps go to the replay and rule it a ground rule double. Two runs in, tie game, men on second and third. Jerry Manuel walks Willingham intentionally to load the bases and bring up Pudge. Rodriguez v. Rodriguez, game on the line. Pudge drops a liner into short right field for the game-winning walk-off single. Nats 6, Mets 5. By the end of the game everyone had forgotten that Strasburg was even involved.

I interupt this celebration of great moments for: A special note to NatsJack—Fire at the Tune InnThey hope to reopen soon.Story on wjla.comDamage less than I have invested in it, but I'm not sure about you.

It's kind of unfair since this just happened and we don't really have it in the context of a full season. For me personally, it was a game that was won in the opposite fashion. September 25, 2007. I was living in NYC at the time and friends with a lot of Mets fans who were just talking endless amounts of smack the whole season about how bad we sucked and how great they were.Well friends, sometimes Schadenfreude can make a win great. This was in the middle of their historic collapse and so they were cautiously optimistic, but still had the attitude of, "oh, we'll just sweep the Nats at home and that should be enough cushion."HAAfter a 13-4 laugher to open the series, we torched Glavine for 6 runs in 5 innings and now I'm the one talking smack. Kind of feared for my life cheering in those stands at that moment. Up 10-3 in the bottom of the ninth, the stadium is emptying out, but Colome gives up a 3-run homer and a single and Manny brings in the Chief.He then loads the bases and gives up a 3-run double putting the tying run on second. By stomach is turning at this point as I'm being shamed by all around me and can't believe we're giving this game away. Whelp, Big Jon Rauch comes in and strikes out Delgado and gets a short flyball from LoDuca to save the game and take the series against the ailing Mets.The next game was pretty awesome too but wasn't as dramatic and I barely even remember it, but that was a 9th inning that's hard to forget.

Strasmus and Opening Day at the new ballpark for pure, single game electricity. What sets this one apart is that it feels like a confirmation of the direction we're heading – something we all haven't felt in six years but are really looking forward to a lot more of.

My favorite win was the game against the Orioles on June 29, 2008 when Ronnie Belliard hit his walk-off two-run homer. There were hordes of O's fans in our stadium, all standing and cheering for closer George Sherrill to throw the last strike. How sweet it was to see them instantly deflate and to cheer wildly for the Nats.

Thanks Mark, I saved the Charlie Slowes and Dave Jugler's commentary.Great discussion of wins going on here. Unfortunately, I was not present at any of these. If I had to pick one, it has be to RZ's walk-off against Philly. That was sweet. Since we are talking sweet victories, the victory against DBacks last month when Storen blew a save, only for Nats to come back in extras on Morse's grandslam was pretty sweet as well, considering the fact that series was just a hit-batter mess.

it's still all about the openers in 2005 and 2008 for me, along with strasmas. that first game back… the atmosphere that night has never been replicated. it may have been matched in energy, but there was just something about the whole night. everything from the fantastic game itself to the old senators handing the new nationals their gloves as they walked onto the field…opening game in the new park. also a great game. freeeeeeeeezing cold. first game i got to see with my dad since i was a kid. hudson shutting us down, zim's HR to end it. just a great night.and strasmas. a totally different kind of electricity. a "you're on the map" kind of electricity. and then for him to totally live up to all the hype that night. lot of other good games on that list, but those three are still the most special to me (and i'm sure partially because i was there for all three).

If you asked the question on other teams' websites, the conversation would be dominated by great playoff wins including World Series clinching wins. I was fortunate enough to be there for Strasmas. I remember thinking the atmosphere is what you'd expect when we have our first post-season game. No question that a random Tuesday night in June with a half-full house against the Mariners just produced an incredibly exciting finish. But for my two cents worth, until we have that first playoff win, Strasmas is the closest thing we'll have to that meaningful experience.

All great wins. Time will tell if this one is later seen as a turning point in this team establishing a "winning attitude." It's a long season, but from the standpoint of where the franchise has been in recent years, I think this win is right near the top all time – so far. Winning really is a state of mind – Go Nats! Keep exceeding expectations!!

I agree with A1A and feel pretty good that I was at 4 of the games Mark mentioned. Also love feelwoods narrative on the July 3rd game.I have never been as excited as I was as the Strasburg first game developed. By the time he was striking out the last 6 batters the crowd was just electric. I loved Zimm's walk-off on opening day vs the Braves but we just cheered for so long during the Strasburg game and I will never forget that. Thanks Mark for putting this out there.Go Nats!

Best part of this win, and what moves it up near the top of the list, is that they won this on a night when Zimmerman had three GDPs, including one _in the ninth_. It's a sign that we might have a team that can win even when he has an off night (or bad luck, for that second GDP).

Diamondbacks – 2001 WS Game 7, in their fourth year of existence I believe.Florida Marlins – 1997 WS Game 7, in their fifth or sixth season.I do not agree with Constant Reader though and think that this is one of the best wins ever.

Mark, thanks so much for have the 3 different perspective calls on last night's game. The Seattle call is how we have felt on the short-end of a horrible loss.You know that 6 run inning against the Cardinals and Espinosa's Walkoff were nice too but for sheer spontanaity for me the Father's Day walkoff against the Yankees was as improbably as the day before.Opening Day 2008 I expected it when Zim walked up to the plate.I think Wil Nieves against the Cubs was another improbable Walkoff. If 2011 turns out to mean something special, May 31st with Marquis gem vs. Cliff Lee, the Cardinals comeback of 6 runs, Espinosa's Walkoff, and Ramos Walkoff are 4 games that all looked stacked against the Nats.The "Kardiac Kids" because it is these 20 somethings that get my heart to race every night!

Not as dramatic as other games listed, but I remember June 30, '05 win vs. Pirates. Nats were 4.5 games in first place, and it was get-away day. Fans must have stayed and cheered 20-30 minutes after the last out … they just didn't want to leave. Felt like the begining of a pennant race at the time, like they were really playing for something.

Some random observations upon reflection.Laughing at Jagelar's comment, "If you left the game early, you blew it" and Slowes' comments re. the smarts of Ramos in keeping his back to the dugout during the postgame interview so as to watch for celebrants bearing pie and/or Gatorade.Also laughed at FP's comments to Teddy after the President's Race "Losing is a disease, Teddy."In other news, I knew about ball humidors but didn't realize that they existed for bats as well. Evidently Morse's came courtesy of Ichiro.What's up with the Wedge (walrus) 'stache? I liked the look better when he was rocking the stubble in Cleveland.

Constant Reader said… & greg said…It's not necessarily all about the end as winning the World Series. Of course clinching any championship is wonderful in itself, but I think you can lose site of the true joy and wonderment of riding that wave that carries you to that end. The end in and of itself is only important as the sum of its parts that leads to it…

Mark Z.. can you find out about the bat humidor mentioned by 1a? I heard that last night as well, and wondered if we have one. And do they work? Has it been studied???Stuart.. I remember that day in June 05 vs Pirates.. I was there in the outfield ROASTING! Great win and a great way to send the team off…I love FP's comments about Teddy, every night it's something new about how he hates it…Very comical. I now wonder when Teddy will win?1a. I wonder about wedge's stache as well.. I didn't recognize him… He has had some bad facial hair this year…

Feel Wood,Great recap of of the Strasburg game on July 3rd, 2010. I was there too and it goes down as one of my favorite wins. I really thought Adam Dunn had ended the game with a walk-off GS. He hit it right off the top of the corner of the fence at the 407 mark — million to one shot. A foot either way and it goes out, but IRod enended up the hero two batters later thanks to K-Rod's implosion.That and the September 17, 2007 game vs. the Mets at RFK. The Mets took an early 4-0 lead and I thought it was going to be a long night. Some obnoxious Mets fans in my section kept standing up and taking a bow every time the Mets scored. Inexplicably, the Nats erupted for 12 runs during the 4th-7th innings and put the game away. Some people in my section really let the Mets fans who had celebrated early have it and they quietly slunk away in the 6th inning. It was the beginning of the end for the Mets that year.

I think Stewart has a great candidate for deep feelgoods, tho the Angels game has all the drama, subtext, and testosterone you could ask for. There was a gamevin the ten-game streak in 2005, I don't remember which one now, when they were down several runs, it was getting late, and I realized I was only wondering *how* they would pull it out, not if. I'm not there, yet, but it is definitely getting better.

FS-For what it's worth, both the Diamondbacks and the Marlins both had private ownership for at least six years prior to their World Series titles. They also had the benefit of expansion drafts, and in at least one case (Diamondbacks), they had several years to cultivate talent in the minor leagues prior to their big league debut.The Nationals were in the worst of all possible worlds to start off. The team has had an owner interested in its success for only four years now, and that owner inherited the worst farm system in baseball. On a day to day and week to week basis I get as angry or irrationally exuberant as any Nats fan, but when you take a step back and look at what the Nats have built in four short years of real ownership and the expectations for the next few years … well, considering the starting point it's pretty impressive.Of course they also had the benefit of a little luck, finishing at the bottom of the standings at the best possible time

dj in fl…. thanks for the "Tune Inn" info. Reports are that it was limited to the kitchen and did $75,000 to $100,000 worth of damage. Could be a windfall depending on their insurance as Lisa has been wanting to redo the kitchen for a few years although there could be problems with meeting code requirements as that place is pretty old.back to your regular programming…

Ditto to Feelwood's comments on 7/3/10, couldn't have said it better. Strasburg's debut can't be beat though, and I have been watching baseball for 30 years. Come from behind wins mean much more in retrospect, let's hope this was the continuation of a much bigger successful season.

I was at several of the games mentioned above, and it is hard to pick, like choosing among children. However, I am going to put in a word for the 8-6 win against the Cardinals last week – we came back steadily from being 6-1 behind and the fanbase finally was really part of it, the kind of shouting and clapping that I have heard at other parks such as Yankee Stadium and AT&T Park but which we never seem to muster. Most of the game last night was a disaster, but that 9th inning did have that kind of fan shouting throughout, starting with Werth unexpectedly getting on base, not just when Ramos hit the dinger. I think that Cards game is the first of the new era, both for the fans and for the team, where games are won through playing hard through the whole game.

Traveler8… I agree wholeheartedly. Last weeks win against the Cards was a total transformation win for the organization and the fans. It was gratifying for believers and eye opening for those that disbelieved. It's what kept the crowd in the stadium last night and what kept alot of us watching on TV. Even those that stopped watching still held hope last night because of last Wednesday.I still believe that our next "best" win will be the one that locks up a playoff spot and while this year seems a reach, last Wednesday says we should keep watching.

All those wins were great. And I'm fortunate to have been in the stands for a bunch of them, including last night. What was different about last night, to me, was the vibe in the stands. The other wins (maybe not, or the two opening day wins, where ut just felt like the Baseball Gods agreed that we were owed those games, for posterity's sake) felt like out of the blue miracles. We were thrilled, but it felt like a gift. Last night, I'm telling you, more people were with the team, believing that the game could be won, it was like the whole joint was willing it into being. Not "wouldn't it be fun if…" but "this is OURS." For my money, and this is one I only watched unfold on the MLB app, the 14 inning win in AZ was another great win. Feels to me like that sparked this streak, made everyone believe this was possible. But last night feels like a true turning point. The streak ended, and we didn't cave in despair or weariness.Sorry to hear about the Tune Inn fire. I spent, or maybe misspent, a nice chunk of my youth there.GYFNG! I might need a shirt for that.

Daggone it. I had a really good post there (imho) and just lost the whole dang thing. Will try to recreate it.Glad to know I'm not alone in the facial hair watch, MicheleS. My impression re. the bat humidor is that it's something that a batter carries around himself, as they were showing a zippered bag while discussing it.Re. crowd cheering, I have to say that it irks me a bit when the media and others talk about fans now getting into the game without scoreboard prompting, as I've been at plenty of games where a core of the crowd was cheering the team on. Maybe it's just that the crowds are bigger in some cases? Or that some thrilling play causes more people to be vocal? Lord knows I cheered myself hoarse often enough at RFK and at Nats Park over the years, while some among the crowd sat on their hands. After a recent game, someone asked Riggleman about it, and to his credit he said that in the past those fans who were there had gotten loud and into the game when warranted. But whatever the reason for the "new" cheering impression/manifestation, it's a good thing, imo. So get out there and root, root, root for the home team, folks. And don't be afraid to outcheer visiting fans. I believe that's called protecting the house. You're fans – cheering is in your job description (music swells and klaxons blare). Now go get 'em!! I'm natsfan1a and I approve of this message.

If there is interest, I can get in touch with couple of college buddies who can make a design. Then we can get the design over to any company that makes custom t-shirts.But usually the more orders they get, less the price is per t-shirt.

Such a nice day to read this forum without the usual doom, gloom and fire everyone comments.I turned the game off when it was 3-0 convinced the Nats didn't have it and it was going to be another offensive snoozer for the team. Checked the score about 10:45 and promptly scolded myself for my actions.

1a, I have also shouted a lot, and the fans were getting into it at lots of games, but the energy at these recent games is just somehow different, seems fresh. NatsJack and JaneB have captured the sense – this is ours, we own this – that I think is new to us.

Even though I've been an STH since 2005, I only attended three of the games on this list. Strasmas was clearly in a class by itself for energy in the park and the promise of something special for the future. But I have to agree with JaneB about the crowd's attitude last night. Somehow we knew the team could pull it out and we knew they knew it too. Something special is happening, and I actually think it started with Nix's game saving catch against Philly on June 1. We won the series against the vaunted Phils, evened up a homestand that looked to be headed for disaster just a few days earlier, and set the stage for some remarkable baseball over the next few weeks. The Sunday game in AZ (Morse's extra inning slam) just a few days later showed that something had clicked for the Nats and they aren't going to just roll over and give up at the first sign of adversity any more. The comeback on June 14 against the Cards confirmed that. Now it seems like we have the confidence to keep the ball rolling and we have a favorable schedule to take advantage of too. Could be a fun summer.Wonder how long before Hard Times bails on its free wings promotion….

UNTERP said …A very thoughtful comment friend. The joy is the daily 'grind' of being a fan. Turning on the TV after putting the kids to bed. Going to games when I have tickets. Wearing my Nats hat to work every day. Hosting the brunch when we divide up season tickets. Hoping for miracles during the hot stove season. Watching games like last night and not being able to go to sleep for a couple of hours afterwards. Taking my son directly from bed to watch the replay of the ninth when he woke up this morning. That's the day-to-day joy of having a baseball team that you call yours.I guess my post focused on the 'dream'. I can't say I have ever really experienced that moment with a team (pro/college/high school) of having MY team win the ultimate game. That's the dream.And if I never have the moment, I'll at least be able to empathize with Cubs fans.

Traveler8, I wasn't addressing you specifically, more the "silent majority," if you will.Also, I would posit that those of us who stayed and cheered at Sunday's game had the same sense, but it didn't pay off that day (and I was embarrassed to see so many people streaming for the exits when it evidently seemed to be out of reach – or maybe they were just hoping to beat the crowd). As noted, I like the cheering, but would be nice to see a bit more consistency/buy-in on the cheering and staying 'til the last out fronts.

I vote for March 30, 2008: NATS 3, BRAVES 2 as best win, because I was there and it was awesome. It had the feel of a new era. I would have voted for last night's win, even though I watched it on TV, IF I DIDN'T TURN OFF THE GAME AFTER ZIM'S DP IN THE 9TH! I agree with others that last week's Cardinal win was also very exciting.But the most exciting game, if not the best win, was Strasburg's debut. I got so into it that I was yelling smack at the TV (I was watching alone). It got to the point that my daughter thought something was wrong, and my wife said 'I thought football season was over?', since I can get a little … intense over the NY Giants.

ouch that has gotta hurt the Cubs fans, Constant Reader. Nice post btw.And natsfan1a, isn't CafePress a little expensive? It is showing $24 per t-shirt. We had our campus t-shirts made for under $10 per t-shirt I believe. Also CafePress does not seem to have unisex t-shirts. Are we willing to order separate for men and women?Before I talk more, I think we will need Sunshine's permission since he owns that phrase. :)And again, are we serious about this? I know I am.

Humidors can be as complex as a tightly-sealed room into which air of a specific humidity is pumped or as simple as a carry-sized case that seals fairly tightly, into which some source of moisture is placed along with the items that need to be humidified. Players of violins, guitars or other wooden musical instruments want to keep their instruments from drying out (why? because drying out causes the wood fibers to shrink and become more susceptible to cracking or pulling away from the glue sealing the instrument's pieces together) so they often carry little sponge-like things soaked in water in their instrument cases to add moisture to the air within, which eventually gets absorbed by the wooden instrument. The wood in bats is more dense than the wood typically used for musical instruments, but it is still wood and over time it can still dry out and become easier to break. I suspect that there are cases made for carrying several bats around, and if these cases seal tightly then the same type of moisturizing device could be put in them that is used in musical instrument cases. Voila! A humidor case. If an entire team is humidifying its bats, they might have a humidor room where they store the bats when they're not being used, like the humidor room in Coors Field where they store the baseballs to keep them less lively for the thin air there.

Of course, I got the date wrong on the great Father's Day walkoff of 2006. It was June 18, the Sunday. I missed the 11-9 come-from-behind game on June 17. If I had been there, maybe that would have been it for me. Still, Zim's walk-off dinger was deemed so significant that a picture of it looms over the scoreboard walk.But on further reflection, I think I would have to agree with Traveler8 that last Tuesday's 8-6 over the Cardinals may turn out to be one of the most important wins of this season–which may mean it's one of the more important wins in the team's turnaround. It was the beginning of a sweep against the first-place Cardinals at home.Incidentally, the ESPN Baseball Tonight podcast, which I like and respect, had the Cardinals in the top 5 of their Power Rankings this week. Even after they were swept by the Nats and lost Pujols for several weeks.Just goes to show you that the national media does not always pay very close attention.

FS, I don't have any t-shirt production experience, so I'll bow to your friend's expertise as far as that and costs. (Disclaimer: I've never made a t-shirt or played a t-shirt maker on tv, but I've bought a couple on Cafe Press.) Truth be told, I probably wouldn't buy one either way, as I have so many Nats tees already, and I'm too petite for a unisex shirt. It just occurred to me that logistics might be more complicated otherwise, but as noted, I don't have experience with production or sales.Thanks for the humidor info, Feel Wood.Speaking of national broadcasts (as with ESPN), I was disappointed when I watched last week's TWIB episode and the Nats' winning road trip didn't make the cut. Instead, the Pirates were featured (What? But…but…they already had *seven* of those this year. [curly w]hinge… :-))